Electrolytic cell



y 7, 1953 E. M. SUTHERLAND ETAL 2,644,337

ELECTROLYTIC CELL Filed Dec. 9, 1944 a Operafe d 2 p Device 2e: eiver Fig. 2

3mm fdm'n M. Jufher/and Harald K. fl/brech?" Patented July 7, 1953 UNITED SAT OFFICE ELECTROLYTIC CELL Edwin M. Sutherland and Harold W. Albrecht, East Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy 3 Claims.

- tacts of a local operating circuit when a predetermined signal is received by the radio set.

One of the main disadvantages of this apparatus results from the small power output of the radio receiving set. In order for the electro- I magnetic relay to operate properly it must be made so sensitive that it is unable to interrupt a circuit carrying normal current for the device to be operated. This disadvantage usually requires that some sort of repeating apparatus be used between the sensitive relay and the power circuit of the device to be operated.

It is an object of this invention to provide a relay with sufiicient power to control the electrical circuit of the device to be operated.

Another object is to provide a relay with suincient power to control the mechanical circuit of the device to be operated.

Another object is to provide a relay with sufficient power to control the actuating means of the device to be operated.

Another object is to provide an electrolytic link for a relay in the form of an electrolytic cell that explodes upon the application of the signal current thereto.

Another object is to provide an electrolytic cell whose structure is normally subjected to an external stress, which stress is used upon the explosion of the cell to initiate control of the actuating means of a device to be operated.

Another object is the provision of apparatus which will be economical to manufacture, reliable in operation and which possesses all of the qualities of ruggedness and dependability in service.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates an elevation view partly in section of the electrolytic cell.

Fig. 2 illustrates an elevation view of the relay structure.

The electrolytic cell, generally designated 4 in Fig. 1, has an electrolyte container 4' capable of withstanding considerable external pressure before breaking, but which will shatter or explode upon the generation of internal pressure therein.

The container may be made of glass or any other similar material suitable for the purpose. Electrodes 5 and 5 are inserted in one end of the container and are held apart by glass head 23. The electrodes may be made of No. 30, B & S, platinum wire, or any other good conductor with catalytic coatings thereon if found desirable. The preferred electrolyte is sulfuric acid (H2804) of specific gravity 1.230; other electrolytes may also be used and the cell will function properly therewith. In filling the container 4 with electrolyte, a bubble 3 of A3 size at 74 F. is left therein for purposes of controlling the time delay between the application of the current and the explosion of the cell. The reason that the size of the bubble is a measure of the time delay is that the formation of gas by the current is comparatively constant, and the larger the storage space therefor the longer the current must flow to generate the explosive pressure.

The nature of the cell requires two rugged supports through which the external pressure may be applied to the electrolyte container in either tension or compression, preferably tension. Bayonet l2, containing lugs Ill and dummy terminal II, is made fast to the end of the container remote from the electrodes. On the electrode end of the container, electrode 5 is soldered to terminal I, and electrode 5 is soldered to bayonet 1 at 6. Bayonet 1 having lugs 8, is made fast to the electrode end by filling the air spaces with cement, preferably a litharge and glycerin cement.

In operation, current is applied to the electrodes 5-5' which decomposes the electrolyte and liberates gas. After a definite lapse of time, determined by the size of bubble 3, a pressure is built up within the container 5' sufficient to cause it to explode, thus disengaging the two supports of the cell.

In the practical application of the electrolyte cell to a relay, two fixed supports [3 and [3' are utilized. To support [3' a socket I4 is attached to receive bayonet l of electrolytic cell l. Since bayonet 1 is the terminal end of the cell, socket It has corresponding terminals that complete connections from electrodes 55' to the radio receiving set or other current producing means which is responsive to a distant signal.

A movable member composed of force measuring means 15, rod Zl, and socket Hi, has rod 2i extending through fixed support !3 when socket I4 is placed on bayonet 12 of the electrolytic cell. Since lugs 8 and [0 on the bayonets engaged corresponding slots in sockets l4 and I4, either tension or compression may be placed externally upon electrolytic cell i. If it is de= sired to place the cell under tension, wing nut 22 is placed upon rod 2! on the remote side of fixed support l3 and turned until rod 2! elongates spring 16 to a given value indicated by pointer ll. For example, five pounds tension may be placed upon cell 4. To place the cell under compression the wing nut is placed upon rod 21 on the rear side of support 13 and turned until rod 2! compresses spring E6 to a given value indicated by pointer ll. It is clear that upon breakage of cell ii the entire force placed externally upon the cell may be used to operatethe actuating means of the device to be operated. Obviously, there is sufficient force in this relay to operate directly any mechanical trigger as well as closing heavy contacts of an electrical power circuit. If electrical contacts are to be closed toggle switch i3 2ii may be operated by any projection such as l9 placed upon movable members i i-i5.

In operation, assuming an external force of tension has been placed upon cell 3 by wing nut 22 as illustrated in Fig. 2. A device may be operated in response to a signal sent from any transmitter to which the radio receiving set oi" Fig. 2 may be tuned. Furthermore, the operation of the remote device may have a time lag determined by the design of electrolytic cell When a signal is received current flows through the electrolytic cell, a pressure is built up within the cell by the decomposition of the electrolyte until the cell explodes, allowing the full force of the spring 16 to initiate control of the actuating means of the device to be operated. In Fig. 2 the actuating means is toggle switch i829 for closing the power circuit of the device. If the operation of the device were initiated by a me chanical trigger, the trigger could replace the toggle switch and be operated in a like manner.

What is claimed is:

1. A trip mechanism adapted to be attached to an explosive electrolytic cell, to be held in cocked position by the cell and to be released by the explosion thereof comprising a threaded rod one end of which projects through a fixed support, a wing nut adapted to threadedly engage the rod and to hold it in fixed relationship with respect to the fixed support, spring means attached to 4 the other end of the threaded rod adapted to exert tension or pressure upon a socket which is adapted to be attached to the electrolytic cell, lug means attached to the socket adapted, upon release of the trip mechanism by the explosion of the electrolytic cell, to initiate the operation of r a device, and slotted scale means provided with an indicating pointer positioned over the spring means adapted to indicate the amount of tension or pressure exerted by the spring means.

2. A trip mechanism adapted to be actuated by the explosion of an electrolytic cell comprising a threaded rod projecting through a fixed support, nut means on one end of said threaded rod to hold it in adjustable relation to said fixed support, spring means attached to the other end of said threaded rod, a first socket means attached to said spring means, a second fixed support having a second socket means mounted thereon, an electrolytic cell having socket engaging means at extremities thereof for interconnecting said first and second socket means, said wing nut serving to place the spring means electrolytic cell under tension and lug means attached to said first socket adapted upon release of the mechanism by explosion of the electrolytic cell to initiate operation of a device.

3. A mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said electrolytic cell contains an electrolyte solution with electrodes immersed therein.

' EDWIN M. SUTEIERLAND. HAROLD W. ALBRECHT.

.References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,101,078 Kiefer June 23, 1914 1,226,732 White May 22, 1917' 1,582,398 Hansmeister Apr. 27, 1926 1,913,962 Sharples June 13, 1933 1,916,235 Ruben July 4, 1933 2,236,958 Mathisen Apr. 1, 1941 2,337,361 Vienneau Dec. 21, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 16,192 Switzerland July 4, 1933 126,407 Great Britain May 5, 1919 

